PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Camron Crawford (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vitor Rua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vitor Rua has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Camron Crawford's chin.

Crawford
vs
Rua

165 cm
23
151 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

175 cm
21
150 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Camron Crawford!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Vitor Rua!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rua takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Rua fails to land with a series of punches.
Rua is looking to clinch but Crawford is avoiding it.

Crawford gets a clinch.
Crawford tries a knee to the head but Rua blocks it.
Rua goes for a takedown attempt but Crawford pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Rua!
Crawford misses with a double jab
and Rua counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Rua tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Crawford counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Rua showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Crawford.
Crawford throws a right and a left that Rua avoids nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rua tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Crawford counters with a head kick. That will keep Rua thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Rua throws a left and a right that both miss
letting Crawford counter with a right hand.

Crawford clinches with his opponent.
Rua wants to break free but Crawford has control.
Crawford throws a knee to the head but misses.
Crawford trying to land knees to the body.
Crawford lands an elbow inside.
Crawford prevents Rua from breaking the clinch.
Crawford lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Crawford is trying to stall.
Crawford connects with a knee to the head.
Rua is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Rua is looking to break free of the clinch but Crawford has double underhooks.
Rua wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Rua wants to get back to striking at distance but Crawford won't allow it.
Crawford tries to stall but Rua uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Rua is trying to break the clinch but Crawford has him pressed against the ropes.
Rua tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Camron Crawford has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vitor Rua.
Crawford lands a body shot.

Crawford escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Crawford misses with a double jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crawford swings for the body but Rua moves out of range.
Crawford tries to close the distance and clinch but Rua swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Crawford tries to close the distance and clinch but Rua swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rua moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Rua moves away from the strike by Crawford.
Crawford throws a predictable looking body shot
letting Rua counter with a right hand.
Vitor Rua seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Crawford misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rua uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Crawford.
Crawford misses with a body shot.
Nice defenses there by Crawford.
Rua dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Crawford misses with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Rua displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Crawford throws out the jab.
Rua lands a jab-cross combination.
Rua throws a left and a right that both miss

and Crawford counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Crawford.
Rua looks gassed!
Rua is trying to break free.
Rua wants to break the clinch but can't.
Rua blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rua tries to break the clinch but Crawford is controlling the position.
Crawford prevents Rua from breaking the clinch.
Crawford lands a knee to the body.
Crawford is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Rua is keeping busy.
Crawford unloads a knee to the mid-section. Rua lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Rua wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rua wants to break free but Crawford has control.
Crawford just leaning against Rua, taking a breather.
Knees to the body from Crawford.

Crawford breaks from the clinch.
Rua throws a lazy head kick
and Crawford counters with a head kick. That will keep Rua thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Crawford looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rua looks to clinch

and Crawford counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Crawford keeps control of Rua as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Crawford lands an elbow inside that Rua shrugs off.
Rua wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Crawford keeps control of Rua as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Crawford manages to break the clinch.
Rua blocks a head kick by Crawford.
Rua throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Crawford counters with a stiff right hand.
Rua throws a combination that misses
and Crawford counters with a left to the body.
Crawford fails with an attempt to clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rua lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Rua.

Crawford is rocked!
Rua wants to clinch

and Crawford counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Camron Crawford will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Rua tries to close the distance and clinch but Crawford swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rua tries to clinch but Crawford moves away

and Crawford counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Rua is trying to break free.
Rua wants to break the clinch but can't.

Rua escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rua throws a body punch but Crawford moves out of range.
Rua throws a head kick but Crawford moves out of range.
Rua misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Rua looks to clinch
and Rua takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rua clinches but Crawford breaks the clinch

and Crawford counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rua wants to get back to striking at distance but Crawford won't allow it.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Crawford.
Rua is trying to break free.
Crawford creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Crawford landing knees to the body.
Rua is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Crawford comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Rua is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crawford lands a nice elbow.

Crawford breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rua misses with a head kick.
Rua lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Rua moves forwards but Crawford connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Crawford misses with a double jab
letting Rua counter with a right hand.
Rua sizes up Crawford with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Crawford staying out of range there.
A choreographed right hand from Crawford misses the target.
Rua throws a jab when Crawford was well out of range.
Rua goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Rua is breathing heavily.
Crawford misses with a looping right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crawford misses with a hook. Rua ducked under it nicely.
Rua lands with a cross.
Crawford swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
letting Rua counter with a right hand.
Rua swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Crawford holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Crawford gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Rua wants to get back to striking at distance but Crawford won't allow it.
Rua has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Crawford is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Rua takes an elbow to the temple.
Crawford is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Rua is keeping busy.
Rua is looking to break free of the clinch but Crawford has double underhooks.
Crawford gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Rua has had enough of the clinch but Crawford keeps him there for the moment.
Crawford lands an elbow just above Rua 's eye.
Nice elbow from Crawford.
Crawford lands an elbow that stopped Rua in his tracks for a moment.
Crawford scores with a shoulder strike.
Rua wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Crawford has him pressed against the ropes.
A bit of stalling here from Crawford.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Crawford has him pressed against the ropes.
Crawford looking to slow down the pace here.
Crawford lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

Crawford breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rua closes the distance but Crawford moves to the side
and Crawford counters with a head kick.

Crawford gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Crawford lands a shoulder strike.
Crawford lands an elbow inside that Rua shrugs off.

Crawford breaks the clinch.
Rua blocks a head kick by Crawford.
Crawford throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rua clinches but Crawford breaks the clinch
enabling Crawford to counter with a crisp jab.
Crawford fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rua darts in trying to clinch

and Crawford counters by clinching up.
Rua wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Rua wants to get back to striking at distance but Crawford won't allow it.
Rua can't break the clinch.
Crawford scores a nice knee to the body.
Crawford holding his opponent close, against the ropes.
Rua changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Crawford fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Camron Crawford has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vitor Rua.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Rua!
Crawford tries to clinch up but Rua circles away and keeps his distance.
Crawford closes the distance and lands a one-two.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Camron Crawford dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Rua walks into a jab.
Rua might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Crawford fails to land with a series of punches.
Crawford tries to clinch up

and Rua holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rua.
Crawford landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Rua has had enough of the clinch but Crawford keeps him there for the moment.
Crawford lands an elbow inside.
Crawford with a knee to the head.

Rua breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Crawford takes the fight into the clinch.

Crawford manages to break the clinch.
Rua stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Crawford.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rua uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Crawford.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rua tries to clinch but Crawford is having none of it.
Rua misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Camron Crawford is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rua tests Crawford's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Left hook, right uppercut from Rua.
Crawford lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Crawford.
Rua pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Crawford misses with a jab, cross combination.
Rua misses with an uppercut.
Rua tries to clinch but Crawford is having none of it.
Crawford falls off balance throwing a combination
and Rua counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Crawford thinking.
Vitor Rua has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crawford doesn't manage to clinch there - Rua circles away.
A swing and a miss from Crawford.
Rua looks for the body kick but Crawford saw that one coming.
Crawford works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Crawford looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rua avoids the body shot from Crawford.
Rua closes the distance looking to clinch
and Crawford counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Crawford tries to clinch but Rua is having none of it.
Crawford is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Rua.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crawford tries to clinch up
and Rua counters with a two punch combo.

Crawford forces Rua back against the ropes and clinches.
Rua wants to get back to striking at distance but Crawford won't allow it.
Crawford throws a knee to the head but misses.
Crawford keeps control of Rua as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Rua goes for a takedown attempt but Crawford pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Rua clinches but Crawford breaks the clinch

and Crawford counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Crawford misses with a knee strike.
Crawford stalling in the clinch but Rua improves position.

Crawford escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rua tries to clinch but Crawford moves away
and Crawford cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Crawford tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rua swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crawford throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Rua.
Rua tries to bum rush Crawford with a series of wild strikes but Crawford uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rua falls off balance throwing a combination

and Crawford counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Crawford tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Rua is trying to break the clinch but Crawford has him pressed against the ropes.
Rua wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Rua tries to break the clinch but Crawford is controlling the position.
Rua is trying to break the clinch but Crawford has him pressed against the ropes.
Crawford is trying to maintain a safe position but Rua gets an underhook and turns Crawford into the ropes.
Crawford tries to break the clinch but Rua is controlling the position.
Rua drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Crawford gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Rua wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rua wants to get back to striking at distance but Crawford won't allow it.
Rua prevents a body shot from Crawford.

Crawford manages to break the clinch.
Crawford uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rua.

And that's the end of the fight!
Camron Crawford showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Crawford, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Camron Crawford!